Wests Tigers have reportedly tabled a formal offer to sign wantaway forward Addin Fonua-Blake, as the first NRL rivals attempting to sign the NZ Warriors' key front-rower.
Fonua-Blake, 28, has requested a release from his Warriors contract to return to Sydney on compassionate grounds.
Newshub understands Fonua-Blake and his management have met with the Tigers. The Daily Telegraph reports Wests will offer the Dally M Prop of the Year a four-year contract, worth AU$1 million per season.
Fonua-Blake has agreed to play out the 2024 season under coach Andrew Webster, but his fate after that is still unknown.
The Warriors are understood to have agreed to release Fonua-Blake after next season, but only to a Sydney-based club, while also wanting a player in exchange from his new team.
Fonua-Blake has also been pictured meeting with Canterbury Bulldogs, while St George Illawarra Dragons have made no secret of their interest.
The Warriors have reportedly drawn up a four-man shortlist of players they would want in return.
Should the Tigers lure Fonua-Blake away from Mt Smart, former Warriors forward Isaiah Papali'I has been linked with a return to Auckland after his first season with Wests in 2023.
New South Wales and Samoa prop Stefano Utoikamanu is another Tigers forward reportedly on the Warriors' list, while Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs) and Jaydn Su'a (Dragons) are also understood to be targets.
Cronulla Sharks are another team seemingly interested in Fonua-Blake, after clearing close to AU$1 million from their salary cap in recent weeks, with the departures of Connor Tracey and Matt Moylan.
Fonua-Blake is already understood to be the highest paid prop in the NRL.
The Daily Telegraph also reports he will tour all four prospective clubs in the coming weeks, before any decision over his future is made.
